The Orkney Brewery Dragonhead

The Orkney Brewery is in Quoyloo, Stromness, Orkney, Scotland.  The Orkney Islands are in the far north of Scotland.  I have had several of their brews and they are generally very good.

This 4.0% ABV beer pours as dark as the blackest, moonless, starless night.  There is a half inch of light brown creamy and foamy head that leaves sticky lacing of medium density down the glass.  The aroma is smokey, peaty, dark roasted malt, like a peaty island Scotch whiskey, but without all the alcohol.  There is a hint of salty, briny sea in the aroma.  The taste is not as smokey as the aroma, it is very deep, dark and rich smoke roasted malt, without being overpowering, a bit of slightly burnt toast made with high quality crusty bread and bitter dark chocolate.  The finish is smooth and dry.  This stout is unique in its well-balanced smokiness.